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Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Espionage case: YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra moves court, seeks regular bail
Hisar, Social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra, arrested on suspicion of espionage last month, on Tuesday sought regular bail from a local court, her lawyer said. Malhotra moved a regular bail plea before Judicial Magistrate Sunil Kumar through her lawyer Kumar Mukesh. The court sought a reply from the police by June 11, he added. On June 9, the court extended Malhotra's judicial custody and fixed her case's hearing on June 23. The 33-year-old YouTuber had appeared before the court through video-conferencing. Hisar Police arrested Malhotra on suspicion of espionage on May 16 and she was subsequently remanded to five days of police custody by the court. Following the completion of the remand, the court extended the custody by four more days after the police sought to question her further. On May 26, the court remanded her to judicial custody for 14 days. Malhotra, who hails from the city, ran a YouTube channel "Travel with JO". She was arrested at the New Aggarsain Extension and booked under provisions of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Hisar Police previously said no evidence had emerged to indicate Malhotra had access to any military- or defence-related information but claimed she was in contact with some people, aware that they were Pakistani Intelligence Operatives . Police sources had previously said she was in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a staffer at the Pakistani High Commission, since November 2023. India expelled Danish on May 13 for allegedly indulging in espionage. The police have claimed Pakistani intelligence operatives were developing Malhotra as an asset.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Disabled man in Haryana village raped minors, uploaded videos on pornographic websites: CBI
Hisar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a common service centre (CSC) operator in a village here for allegedly raping minor girls and uploading their videos to pornographic websites. Somnath (40) lives is disabled, having been unable to walk since birth. He is unmarried. A police official told TOI on Wednesday that a CBI team carried out the action on Tuesday. The CBI later issued a press statement confirming the arrest. Officials did not reveal the number of children targetted by the accused and the charges that have been pressed against him. According to CBI, Somnath had a disturbing interest in child exploitation, actively searching for and collecting abusive material online. He allegedly created his own videos and photos, shared them with friends, and uploaded them to the internet. The investigation began with a case registered against Somnath on May 29. CBI officials conducted a thorough inquiry, interviewing survivors and their families while advising them to keep the investigation confidential to prevent alerting the suspect. The CBI used the International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database from Interpol to trace images and videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), which were also linked to reports from Google's cyber tipline. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo After a detailed examination of the evidence with cyber forensic tools, investigators confirmed that pornographic content was produced in Hansi, revealing multiple instances of sexual abuse against minors. On Tuesday, CBI executed a search warrant at Somnath's residence, where they uncovered substantial digital evidence, including clear photos and videos. The survivors were identified as those who were recently assaulted by the accused. CSCs are the access points for delivery of essential public utility services, social welfare schemes, healthcare, financial, education and agriculture services. Allegations of Grooming and Exploitation Villagers described Somnath as a familiar figure in the community, running a CSC where he allegedly lured young girls with toffees and chocolates. He reportedly used the centre to attract children, offering them food and treats, before committing his crimes. Witnesses claim that he would take the girls inside the shop, where he would engage in inappropriate acts, record the incidents, and subsequently blackmail his targets. Somnath has two sisters, who grew up in an orphanage and have since married. They don't live in the same village. Despite his physical limitations, villagers noted that Somnath was liked and friendly, which contributed to the community's initial disbelief regarding the allegations against him.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Indian Express
From Hisar's Rambo to Sonipat's Tom, Haryana Police's ‘K9 warriors' set to break records in fight against drugs
From Hisar's Rambo and Hansi's Mahi to Sonipat's Tom and Rony, Haryana Police's well-trained narcotics-detection dogs, termed as its 'K9 warriors', are showing immense results in the state government's ongoing crackdown against narcotics abuse. According to state police force data, in 2025, the dog squad has surpassed all previous records by achieving 'remarkable success' in the anti-drug campaign. 'In the first quarter of the year alone, 28 FIRs were registered with the help of narcotic-detection dogs,' the police said, adding that the Hisar unit's Rambo delivered the best performance by playing a decisive role in several cases. In 2024, the dog squad assisted in registering 28 FIRs, with Mahi from Hansi district achieving the highest success. In 2023, 26 FIRs were registered with the help of the dogs, with Tom from Sonipat contributing significantly. 'The FIRs registered in 2025 so far indicate that this year's performance by the dog squad has been more impactful and extensive than in previous years,' the police said. Rambo, Tom and Mahi are part of the state police force's dog squads, which include 62 dogs trained in narcotics detection. Most of these dogs are Labradors or German Shepherds. Currently, at least one or more narcotics detection dogs are deployed in every district of Haryana. All these dogs undergo intensive training of at least six months, during which they are trained to detect narcotic odours, search suspicious locations, and stay calm and efficient in emergencies. 'The narcotics detection dogs of Haryana Police have become an integral part of our anti-drug strategy. The exceptional sniffing abilities of these trained dogs, combined with the commitment of their handlers, have helped the police resolve several complex cases at the grassroots level. This success is not just of technology but of the unwavering loyalty these dogs show in the field every day,' Shatrujeet Kapur, Director General of Police (DGP), Haryana, said. A special diet chart is prepared for each dog by a veterinarian and followed under the supervision of its handler, DGP Kapur said. 'A narcotics refresher course is conducted every six months at the K-9 centre to retrain the dogs according to the latest trends. Daily morning and evening practice and exercise ensure that their fitness and skills remain sharp,' he added. Each dog is paired with a trained handler who is responsible for everything from its care to maintaining its performance. 'The handler shares an emotional bond with the dog, which enhances their coordination during operations. This teamwork is the real key behind the success of these missions,' DGP Kapur said. 'They may not appear on public platforms, but when it comes to identifying suspicious packages, sealed vehicles, or narcotics hidden in walls, their extraordinary olfactory sense and a mere signal can redirect the entire course of an investigation,' he added. Praising the 'K9 warriors', DGP Kapur said, 'In Haryana Police's ongoing campaign against narcotic substances, while technical tools, human intelligence networks, and legal frameworks play a critical role, there exists a unique unit that reinforces this fight silently, with utmost dedication and efficiency.'
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Debt drove family of 7 to end life in car in Haryana's Panchkula
Six members of a family that originally belonged to Hisar were found dead in a car parked in a vacant plot in Sector 27, Panchkula, on Monday night, while the seventh died in hospital in what police suspect to be a suicide pact due to financial distress. Panchkula deputy commissioner of police Himadri Kaushik, said, 'Prima facie, it appears to be a matter of suicide. However, further investigations are on.' Police identified the deceased as Praveen Mittal, 41, his wife Reena, the couple's three children, including their 14-year-old son and 12-year-old twin girls, besides his parents Deshraj Mittal and mother Bimla. Two months ago, the family had shifted from Dehradun and was staying in Saketri on the outskirts of Panchkula. A local youngster, Puneet Rana, said he was out for a walk around 10pm when he spotted the Dehradun-registered Hyundai car parked with a towel hanging from one of its doors. He went close and found six people in the car motionless. The seventh he found breathing with difficulty, yet managed to tell him that his family was under huge debt and that he was also going to die. 'I used a torch to look inside and saw that they had all vomited on each other,' Rana said, adding Praveen Mittal, who was in the driver's seat and still conscious at the time, told him, 'I am under huge debt and will also die in five minutes.' The youngster raised the alarm and all seven were rushed to hospital, the police said. Kaushik said six of the family members were taken to a private hospital, while one was taken to the civil hospital. However, he too died later. 'We are investigating the case from all angles. We are questioning the people in the area and going through the CCTV footage,' DCP (Crime), Panchkula, Amit Dahiya said. ACP, headquarters, Vikram Nehra said a suicide note, purportedly signed by Praveen Mittal, was recovered from the car. 'The letter says no one is responsible for the deaths and that they were taking the step due to financial losses,' Nehra said, adding that the note also mentioned that his (Praveen's ) father-in-law should not be held responsible for the extreme step. A bottle of a psychiatric medicine was also recovered from the car, raising suspicion that the family may have consumed it. Police investigation revealed that the family had suffered heavy financial losses between 2005 and 2008, prompting them to leave Panchkula. Sandeep Aggarwal, a relative, said the family had abandoned their property, including flats, a car, and a factory in Baddi, nine years ago and relocated to Dehradun. 'They were under debt running into crores and were receiving threats,' he said. The family originally belonged to Hisar and Praveen Mittal was running taxis as part of a tour and travel business in Dehradun before returning to Panchkula two months ago. Another relative, Ankit Mittal, said the family had earlier owned a flat worth ₹2.5 crore but suffered business losses of up to ₹7 crore. 'After abandoning the flat, which was later taken over by the bank, Praveen had no steady source of income locally. After leaving Dehradun, where Praveen ran a taxi business, the family shifted back and started living with Praveen's father-in-law in Kharar before finding a rented accommodation in Saketri at ₹10,000 a month. 'We met at a family function on April 30, but they were clearly under financial and emotional stress,' Ankit said.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Espionage-accused YouTuber in judicial custody
YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra , accused of espionage , was remanded in judicial custody on Monday, after her nine-day police remand got over, reports Kumar Mukesh. Hisar SP Shashank Kumar Sawan said Jyoti's police custody could be sought again, if needed. "Investigators are analysing 13TB data retrieved from five mobile phones and a laptop belonging to Jyoti and another accused, Harkirat. An investigation into Jyoti's bank accounts is underway," he said. Under BNSS, an accused can be held in police custody for up to 15 days for interrogation. This period falls within a larger 90-day pre-trial detention window in certain cases, applicable in this instance. This means Jyoti could still be taken on remand for another six days. Sawan said no evidence had emerged indicating that Malhotra accessed sensitive military, defence, or strategic information, nor had any link been found connecting her to terrorist activities or organisations. She, however, has admitted to being in contact with individuals identified as Pakistani intelligence operatives.
